Two new shows from GTA this spring

February 9, 2024
The Gainesville Theatre Alliance will perform 'The Crucible' and 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee' this spring.

Article By: Agnes Hina

The Gainesville Theatre Alliance (GTA) is bringing two shows to the community this spring. GTA is a one-of-a-kind, nationally-recognized collaboration between the University of North Georgia (UNG) and Brenau University. Tickets for both shows are available online or by calling the box office at 678-717-3624 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Winner of the 1953 Tony Award for Best Play. This captivating drama about the Puritan purge of witchcraft in old Salem is both a gripping historical play and a timely parable of our contemporary society.

"In this production, I am choosing to highlight two particular things: What makes an outsider and how mass hysteria is born of not necessarily misinformation but from a lack of complete information," Geffrard said. "This play is essentially a game of telephone gone horribly awry."

In this production, I am choosing to highlight two particular things: What makes an outsider and how mass hysteria is born of not necessarily misinformation but from a lack of complete information.

Greg Geffrard

GTA associate artistic director

The performance is both "gripping and a timely parable of our contemporary society."

"The Crucible" is at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16, Feb. 17, Feb. 20, Feb. 21, Feb. 22, Feb. 23 and Feb. 24 and at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 18 and Feb. 24.

In addition, GTA will present "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" a Tony-award winning play based on the book written by Rachel Sheinkin.

"In a heightened time of consuming media that is heavily influencing the clothes we buy, the phrases we use, or even how big or small our bodies should be, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee leads the audience back to the basis of being an individually unique kid," Kari Twyman, alumna and guest director for the play, said. "This show is the ultimate connection between actors and audience, experiencing hilariously relatable situations."

The UNG community can view performances of the play starting April 12 in the Ed Cabell Theatre at UNG's Gainesville Campus in Oakwood, Georgia. Showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. April 12, April 13, April 16, April 17, April 18, and April 19. The show is at 2:30 p.m. April 14, and 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. showings are set for April 20.

For more information on these upcoming theatre performances, visit the Gainesville Theatre Alliance website.


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